Saturday, February 8, 2014

Flight Attendants in Aisle during Taxi

Why don't we see more Flight Attendants in the aisle during taxi-out/in to/from the gate?  Simply put, only safety related duties are permitted to be accomplished during aircraft surface movement. (Safety Demo, ensuring baggage is properly stowed, medical emergencies, ensuring electronics are either properly stowed-or in airplane mode, picking up any service items that were handed out during boarding)

Check out the legal version of this requirement of the FAR.

During taxi, flight attendants required by this section must remain at their duty stations with safety belts and shoulder harnesses fastened except to perform duties related to the safety of the airplane and its occupants.

What about the Galley?

While most flight attendant adhere to this requirement, unfortunately some (more often “Galley FAs”) are accomplishing duties not related to safety during taxi. This message is not about picking on the “Galleys.”  

After all, they are the miracle workers of the kitchen. Instead, the focus is to raise awareness that accomplishing non-safety duties during this period is risky. Here’s why.
Physics-101
While the aircraft is whisking along towards the departure runway, you (along with any other unsecured items) are being held in place by simple laws of gravity. Should the flight deck crew make a sudden stop, the laws of inertia quickly trump gravity -- thus placing you (and those loose items) in a precarious situation. In fact, the more distance from any fixed object (galley wall/surface), the greater the risk for severe injury.  What about those unsecured items (inserts/carts/rack of glasses)?  Applying the aircraft brakes “firmly” will result in those items very quickly on the floor -- even worse, possibly striking you!  Look at it this way….,
·        Greater Distance/Speed = Greater Inertia = Harder Impact
Don’t think it happens?  Guess again because in 2013 (for one airline) over 25 flight attendants were seriously injured due to surface movement accidentsSadly, most were avoidable had these flight attendants been seated and buckled-up.
 Let’s Talk $$
The FAA has taken a very clear position on this topic. During recent Town Halls, cabin safety inspectors have publicly stated that flight attendants can be personally fined for noncompliance with FAR 121.391. Your Cabin ASAP reports confirmed the FAA is watching since inspectors do not have to make themselves known to crewmembers when onboard.
But more importantly, you could be injured. Please don’t chance your personal safety. During taxi, all flight attendants not performing safety related duties must be in their jumpseats (focused on cabin safety) with lapbelt and shoulder harnesses fastened.
Opening wine bottles, linen lining inserts, tray unwrapping, and all the other fabulous things you do for our customers can wait.  On the other hand, your personal safety can never wait; it must always be #1.

Monday, February 3, 2014

Celebrating a Decade of Excellence

Still the largest, longest, tallest, widest, and most expensive ocean liner ever built. This year, the only
ocean liner and the most famous and fastest passenger ship in the world, QUEEN MARY 2 will be celebrating her tenth birthday in style!

The decade since QUEEN MARY 2's launch was launched with fireworks as she left Southampton beside QUEEN ELIZABETH on the 2nd of January. Official birthday celebrations begin with a Gala Day in her homeport of Southampton on 9 May 2014 prior to sailing to New York and back - a return Atlantic crossing that underlines her role as the only passenger ship in the world maintaining a scheduled service across the Atlantic, something a Cunard ship has done since 1840.

The Gala Day itself will have several exciting moments including the sight of all three QUEENS in port together, special sails pasts, a celebratory lunch and tremendous firework display as all three depart Southampton.

When QUEEN MARY 2 heads to New York, she will carrying special guest lecturers who will be presenting fascinating insights into the operation and construction of the world's grandest ocean liner.

Also hard to believe that Cunard will be celebrating their 175th Anniversary in 2015.